Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-26
A REPORT
Concerning the Eligibility of the Thistle
TO Enter IN the Cup Race.
NEW Ynpx San, .

NEW l oRk, Sept. 20.
The following is the report of Umpire G
l.. Schuyler on the eligibility of the Thistle
as competitor in the America cup race:
James d. Smith, Esq, chairman OF Ameri.
cas- cup committee, New York Yacht Club
My reply TO the question submitted to me
by your committee and Mr.. Bell is as fol
lows:
The clause in the deed of gift, which re-
qulres besides the customs house measure
ment, statement of the dimensions of the
vessel, is intended to convey Just idea of
the capacity. At the same time, without ref
erence TO any rule to racing tonnage which
may be in force at the time the challenge was
given, the length of the load water
line Is an essential element. 1t was furnish:
ed by both the Genesta and the Galstea and
has not been given by the Thistle committee.
Ii should have been demanded before the
terms of the match Mr.. Bell did, however,
furnish the load water line of the Thistle.
Notwithstanding bis misapprehension of the
necessity OF doing 80, tor reasons, as stated
by himself, that if Information was withheld
it would be impossible to determine with any
approach TO accuracy, the power OF his boat,
reason which proves the necessity of the
load water line being factor in giving the
dimensions of his vessel, as well as the desire
OF Bell to do everything iu bis power to make
talr trial between the contestants for the
cup. Your secoDd question refers to the dis
crepancy between the load water line of the
Thistle, furnished by the letter of March 16,
loSI-'about SO feel'-and the actual meas
urement made in New York-S6 46-IOO feet.
The length of the load water line of the ves-
sci in the commission is accurately official,
but before launching as was the case
w With tho rHhiztta
left to the owner but apply to his designer
for the necessary information. This was
done and the certificate OF the designer was
forwarded stating that it. was impossible to
give exactly the water line length. This,
however, is her designers length, and when
she is ai1oat and in racing trim, l have no
reason to expect it will be more than an inch
or two out either way. The importance of
accuracy in giving The dimensions of the
yacht challenging for the cup are so great
that any decision reached in any one case
cannot be used as a precedent in any other
which may rise. ANY great error in any OF
the dimensions, whether through mistake or
design, would violate the agreement The
small one Should be governed by the circum-
stances attending it and always on the liberal
side, although the variation between the
actual and stated load water line Is so large
as 10 be great disadvantage to the defender
of the cup. Still as Mr.. Bell could only rely
upon the statement of the designer, he can
not, in this particular case, be held respon-
sible for remarkably inaccurate information
received from him, and | therefore de eide
that the variation is not sufficient to disqual-
fly her from starting in the race as agreed
upon.
The above report is intensely satisfactory
to all the members of Americas cup COM
mittee OF the New Yacht Club.